Floor or window cleaner.



ne. 043,007. Patented rele.` s, |900. r. w. mcHTEn.

FLOR 0B WINDOW CLEANER.

(Application led Nov. 28, 1898.)

2 Shots-Sheet I.

(Application led Nov. 23, 1898.).

2 Shasta-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

Tui Norms Ferias co, PHoTaumo.. WASHINGTON. n. r:4

llNrrnD STA-TES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK W. RICHTER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FLOOR OR WINDOW CLEANER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,007, dated February 6, 1900.

Application filed November 23, 1898. Serial No. 697,241. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that LFREDERICK W. RICHTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Floor or Window Cleaner, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in floor and window cleaners.

One object of the presentinvention is to improve the construction of floor and window cleaners and to provide a simple, inexpensive, and efficient one which will be light, strong, and durable and possess an advantageous shape for enabling it to be conveniently handled and to remove dirt from corners and similar places.

A further object of the invention is to enable a scrubbing-brush to be readily applied to and removed fromthe cleaner and to permit a rubber or squeegee to be readily adjusted as it becomes worn without removing any bolts or screws.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cleaner constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of one of the brush-supporting plates. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view illustrating a modification of the invention. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a portion of a scraper, illustrating a modification of the brush-supporting plates. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view illustratinga similar form of cleaner, the short brush-supporting plates being provided at their edges with flanges to form a hollow support. Fig. 7 is a perspective View of a window-cleaner constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the same. Figs. 9 and 10 are transverse sectional views illustrating modifications of the window-cleaner.

Like numerals of reference designate correl spending parts in all the figures of the drawings.

l designates a head constructed of sheet metal folded longitudinally to provide sides 2 and 3, which are adapted to clamp a rubber strip or squeegee, and the bend or roll 5,wl1ich is of a much greater diameter than the thickness of the rubber strip or squeegee, is cylindrical to form a spring for separating the sides 2 and 3, so that the rubber or squeegee'e may be readily introduced into and removed from the head or adjusted therein. The side 2 is provided at its edge with a longitudinal flange 6, extending inward at right angles to the body portion of the side and preferably reinforced by doubling the metal, as shown. The other side 3 of the head is provided at a point between its outer edge and the spring-bend with an inwardly-extending flange '7, arranged parallel with the flange 6 and disposed at right angles to the face of the side orojaw 3. The flange 7 is formed by folding the metal of the side or jaw 3 and extending it inward on its inner face at 8, as clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and besides forming a stop for the inner edge of the rubber or scraper it also reinforces the outer portion of the side or jaw. The sides or jaws 2 and 3 are adapted to clamp rubbers or squeegees of different thicknesses, and a heavy rubber may be provided in one of its faces with an angular groove 10, adapted to enable the rubber to bend freely and conform to the conguration of the surface operated on, whereby the cleaner is rendered more effective and is adapted to be either drawn toward the operator or moved outward without jumping. The rubber or squeegee may be introduced edgewise into the head, and the interior substantially centrally-arranged flange 7 is designed for supporting the inner edge of a thin rubber or squeegee. A plain ungrooved thick rubber may also be employed, and as the rubber becomes worn the strip may be advanced or it can be taken out and reversed.

The sides or jaws 2 and 3 are held in engagement with the rubber or squeegee by means of nuts 11 and bolts 12, which also serve to secure brush-supporting plates 13 to the head. The bolts attach a handle 14C to the head, and the brush-supporting plates are IOO preferably four in number, as shown, and are y yond the rear edge of the head. The inner attachment portions of the plates are provided with perforations to receive the bolts and are curved at 16 to conform to the configuration of the spring-bend ofthe head. The outer L-shaped portions 15 are provided with slots 17, adapted to receive fastening devices 18, whereby a brush 19 is secured to the head.

The handle is arranged on the same side of the head as the nuts, and t-he brush, which is located at the other side, is preferably continuous and extends the entirev length of the device. The slots 17 of two of the brush-supporting plates extend toward the adjacent end of the head and those of the other pair of supporting-plates extend toward the other end of the device, and the fastening devices 18, which may consist of screw-eyes, have threaded stems and securely hold the brush on the head. The outer portions of the brushsupporting plates bear against the back of the brush, being forced firmly against the same by the action of the fastening devices. The brush may be readily removed by loosening the` fastening devices and turning their heads longitudinally of the slots of the plates. The

bolts may be located in rear of the inner flange 7, or they may pass through the head at a point between the anges,\vhich arrangement will be found advantageous when a thin rubber or squeegee is employed.

Instead of providing extended brush-supporting plates, heretofore described, the head of the device may be provided at intervals with longitudinal slots 2O and may be reinforced by stout metal plates 2l, as illustrated in Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawings. Instead of employing a solid heavy plate 21 a sheet-metal plate 22 may be provided, as illustrated in Fig. 6. This sheet-metal plate 22 has its edges bent inward at right angles to form a raised support or casing and to strengthen the construction. The headed fastening devices of the brushes are passed through the longitudinal slots 20, and by turning them transversely thereof the brush is firmly secured to the head.

The spring-bend of cylindrical form may be omitted, if desired, and the back of the head may be made straight or flat, as shown at 23 in Fig. 4c of the accompanying drawings, and in order to cause the sides or jaws of the head to separate when this construction is employed the back is made wider than the front. The head may also engage the squeegee or rubber with the faces of the sides or. jaws as well as with the edge of the outer flan ge, and to secure this result the head or jaw is provided with a substantially V-shaped bend 24, forming an exterior rib and providing a flange having its edge arranged in substantially the same plane as the adjacent portion of the inner face of the jaw. The outer side or flange of the V-shaped bend 24 is preferably reinforced by doubling4 the metal to form two plies. In this construction of head the brushsupporting plates 25 maybe provided at their inner ends with inwardly-extending flanges 26, located adjacent to the inner side' of the bend 24 and engaging the outer face of the side or jaw. By this construction the clan1ping action of the head is increased, as the flanges 26 assist in holding the jaw or side tightly against the rubber or squeegee.

The window-cleaner, which is made lighter than the floor-cleaner, is provided with a head constructed of sheet metal folded longitudinally to provide two jaws and a connecting spring-bend, one 0f the jaws being provided with an inner substantially centrally arranged longitudinal ilange and the otherjaw being provided with an outer longitudinal flange. The rubber or squeegee is secured between the sides or jaws in substantially the same manner as heretofore described in connection with the floor-cleaners. The windowcleaner 27 (shown in Fig. 7) is provided at the outer edge of one of its sides with a substantially Vshaped bend 24, similar in construction to the bend 24 before described and adapted to prevent water from flowing over the head. In constructing window-cleaners one or more strips of rubber may be employed and the V-shaped bend is omitted. When the V-shaped bend is not employed, inner and outer longitudinal flanges similar to those shown in Fig. l of the drawings may be provided, as illustrated in Fig. 9, and the outer longitudinal flange can be omitted, as illustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawings. In this form of the invention the face of the side or jaw which engages the rubber or squeegce is reinforced by folding the metal on itself to form two plies to increase the durability of the device.

The invention has the following advantages: The cleaner, which is simple and comparatively inexpensive in construction, is light, strong, and durable, and it is of convenient form to be readily operated. The brush is detachably secured to the head, and it is provided at each end with a transverse scraper-blade 28, arranged in convenient position for removing a hard substance from a floor or other surface. The rubber or squeegee is rmly clamped between the sides or jaws, and it is adapted to be readily adjusted as it becomes worn, and it is rendered flexible to preventit from jumping when itis being drawn or pushed over a floor or other surface.

Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention, such as forming the rib 7 by a die and arranging the slots 17 of the plates 13 at the same side thereof.

What is claimed is- 1. A device of the class described comprising a head constructed of sheet metal folded longitudinally and forming resilient clamping-jaws and a connecting resilient roll, the longitudinal edges being folded upon themselves to form engaging portions, a squeegcc or ru bber arranged'between the engaging por- IOO IIO

tions of the jaws, and means for connecting the jaws, substantially as described.

2. A device of the class described comprising a head composed of two jaws, one of the jaws being folded on itself and having the longitudinal edge of the metal bent inward to provide an inner flange, and means for holding the jaws iu engagement with a rubber or squeegee, substantially as described.

3. A device of the class described comprising a head Vcomposed of jaws 2 and 3, the jaw 2 being provided with an outer longitudinal flange andthe jaw 3 folded on itself and having the longitudinal edge of the .metal bent inward to provide an inner flange, and means for holding the jaws in engagement with a rubber or squeegee, substantially as described.

4. A device of the class described comprising a head composed of two jaws, and a connecting spring-bend, one of the jaws having its longitudinal edge bent inward and folded on itself to provide a reinforced flange, and the other jaw being bent inward to reinforce its outer portion and having the longitudinal edge of the metal bent at right angles to form an inner lian ge, a rubber or squeegee arranged between the jaws, and means for holding the latter in engagement with the same, substantially as described.

5. A device of the class described comprising a head composed of two jaws, a rubber or squeegee arranged between the jaws, fastening devices connecting the jaws and holding the same in engagement with the rubber or squeegee, brush-supporting plates provided with slots and secured to the head by the said fastening devices, and a brush having headed fastening devices passing through said slots and detachably engaging the plates, substantially as described.

6. A device of the class described comprising a head provided with jaws, a rubber or squeegee arranged between the jaws, fastening devices' holding the jaws in engagement with the rubber or squeegee, brush-supporting plates secured to the head by the said fastening devices and provided with outer L- shaped portions, and a brush secured to the L-shaped portions of said plate, substantially as described.

7. A device of the class described comprising a head provided with jaws, a rubber or squeegee arranged between the jaws, fastening devices holding the jaws in engagement with the rubber or squeegee, plates secured to the head by the fastening devices and provided with projecting L-shaped portions having slots, and a brush having headed fastening devices engaging said slots, substantially as described.

8. A device of the class described comprising a head provided with jaws and having a cylindrical spring-bend connecting the same, fastening devices for holding the jaws in engagement with a rubber or squeegee, plates secured to the head by said fastening devices, provided with outer slotted portions and havingintermediate curved portions conforming to the configuration of the bend of the head, and a brush provided with fastening devices engaging the outer slotted portions of the plates, substantially as described.

9. A device of the class described comprising a head having jaws, fastening devices for holding the jaws in engagement with a rubber or squeegee, plates secured to the head by said fastening devices, and a brush having fastening means interlocked with said plates, substantially as described.

10. A device of the class described comprising al head provided with jaws, fastening devices connecting the jaws and adapted to hold the same in engagement with a rubber or squeegee, plates secured to the head by the said fastening devices, a brush interlocked with the plates, and a handle also secured to the head by the said fastening devices, substantially as described.

1l. Adevice of the class described comprising a head having jaws, a rubber or squeegee arranged between the jaws, brush-supporting plates disposed on the head, a handle, and fastening devices passing through the jaws and securing the plates and the handle to the head and retaining the said jaws in engagement with the rubber or squeegee, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have heretoaflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRED. W. RICHTER.

Witnesses:

EDWIN G. SoRENsEN, W. W. CoLEs. 

